WoolSafe release

February 3, 2009

The WoolSafe® Course Now Available On-Line

The IICRC recently approved the WoolSafe®Fabric Care SpecialistOn-Line Training Course for two IICRC CECs.According to Ruth Travis, WoolSafe®’s North American Director, “Previously the course was only offered in a face-to-face format with limited availability to professional cleaners interested in learning more about wool and high-value wool carpet and rug cleaning.Now students throughout the world will have the opportunity to choose to attend a course in person or study on-line.”

Originally established in 1991 by the International Wool Secretariat (the Wool Bureau in North America)- the WOOLSAFE Organization launched an accreditation program for professional carpet cleaners in October of 1998.The WOOLSAFE® Certified Operators program was created in response to demand from the cleaning and carpet manufacturing industries and to raise the level of expertise in cleaning wool floor coverings.

The WoolSafe®Certified Operator program now operates in Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, Germany and Greece. It is launching in North America as the WoolSafe®Fabric Care Specialist program.

The WoolSafe®Fabric Care SpecialistTraining Course provides professional cleaners with a convenient and cost effective means for advancing their knowledge of wool-rich carpet, high-value rug and upholstery cleaning.

Students are able to complete the course at their own pace from a home or office computer.The course is intended to supplement training received in the IICRC-approved CCT, UFT and RCT certification courses, and it is approved for 2-IICRC CECs in the cleaning, restoration or inspection categories.

This course is divided into numerous sections or modules and includes subjects such as:

History of Wool

Wool Characteristics

Wool Yarn Production

Wool Cleanability

Wool Fiber Structure

Limitations of Wool

Chemical Damage

Abrasive Damage

Specialty Spotting

Wool Cleaning-Related Challenges and Solutions

WoolSafe Approved Cleaning Products.

Each of the 33 modules is followed by self-evaluation multiple-choice questions, which are based on the information presented in the current module.Students simply read each question and select the correct answer from the options provided. The question is graded electronically for immediate feedback.Once the course is successfully completed, students receive a completion certificate to send to the IICRC for two CECs.

At that time, the WoolSafe®Fabric Care Specialist’s company is eligible to apply as a WoolSafe® Approved Service Provider.

If accepted, the Service Provider’s contact information is listed on the International Registry at www.woolsafe.org and it has permission to use the WoolSafe®Fabric Care Specialist Mark in all company promotional programs.